Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda welcomed Belarus' release of 25 political prisoners but warned the move does not indicate a wider policy or security shift in Minsk. He pointed to recent drone incursions from Belarus and alleged attempts to promote illegal EU border crossings as ongoing threats. The releases followed talks led by US special envoy John Coale, and the US lifted sanctions on two Belarusian firms. Rights groups estimate about 1,400 political prisoners remain in Belarus.
Lithuanian President Says Belarus' Release Of 25 Political Prisoners Is Not A Policy Shift
FILE PHOTO - Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda speaks at a press conference following a meeting at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin in July. (is associated with: «Lithuania says Belarus prisoner release no sign of policy shift») Kay Nietfeld/dpa
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda welcomed Belarus' release of 25 political prisoners but warned the gesture should not be interpreted as a broader change in Minsk's policies or security posture.
Nausėda highlighted ongoing concerns, pointing to recent incidents including drones that flew into Lithuanian airspace from Belarus and alleged attempts to encourage unlawful crossings of EU borders. His comments came in a statement issued after a meeting with US special envoy John Coale.
'We would like to point out that this humanitarian progress achieved solely through pressure from the United States should not be equated with broader political and security changes in Belarus,' Nausėda said, adding that despite these humanitarian gestures, 'the overall security situation remains essentially unchanged.'
The 25 detainees were released following talks between Belarusian officials and a US delegation led by Coale and subsequently arrived in Lithuania, where they were greeted by opposition figures, supporters and relatives.
As part of the outcome of those discussions, the United States lifted sanctions on two large Belarusian companies. Nausėda expressed appreciation for the US government's sustained efforts and Coale's personal involvement in securing the releases.
Wider Context
Lithuania has long served as a centre for the Belarusian opposition: tens of thousands of Belarusians fled to the EU country after a post-August 2020 crackdown following a presidential vote widely condemned as fraudulent. Human rights groups warn that the latest releases are limited in scope — they estimate roughly 1,400 political prisoners remain incarcerated in Belarus.
While the releases represent a humanitarian development, Lithuanian officials and Western partners say they do not alter concerns about Minsk's conduct on political repression and regional security. Lithuania has urged continued vigilance and coordinated diplomatic pressure to safeguard human rights and deter destabilizing actions.
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